Tag Archives: Charity

Many years ago, SQM did a project for a gentleman by the name of Wassim, who works for a Canadian company called The Travelway Group. The company is a distributor of various travel related products: suitcases, gym bags, and travel accessories. One of the products which they have the licensing rights to are for various cartoon and superhero lunch bags, overnight bags, and knapsacks, such as Dora the Explorer, Frozen, and the Avengers.

Although it’s been several years since we last did any work for the company, I’ve kept in touch with Wassim. From time to time I’ve asked Wassim for a favour, related to some of the charity initiatives that SQM is involved with. In particular, when I’m working on any children’s related initiatives, I’ve called up to see if it’s possible to get some old or extra items that may be sitting around the warehouse, to pass along to the various organizations we are working with.

While I try not to take advantage of his generosity, whenever I’ve asked for something, without hesitation he takes down the delivery information and within days I’ll have a box full of items at my front door.

During my time in business, I’ve always made an effort to support those companies that actively support charitable causes…and especially the ones that myself and SQM are involved with. As a result, I wanted to do a shout out for the team at the Travelway Group for being a great partner and a great supporter of myself, and SQM. Thank you very much!

One of the things I like to do all year long, but especially around the holidays, is support my community and those around me. One particular group that I am involved with is Toronto-based Ve’ahavta. As some of you may know from my previous posts, one of the group’s main activities is to provide the homeless with meals and clothing. During my involvement with this group, I’ve learned that they are always in need of fresh socks and underwear…articles of clothing that people often overlook. I myself never thought of this, and usually donated warm hats, mitts, gloves, and sleeping bags, however, when you think of it, clean, warm, dry socks and underwear is a necessity.

As we’ve done in the past, SQM is launching our annual, Holiday Sock / Underwear Drive. I encourage all of my friends, colleagues, those on the SQM Team, and in fact…..anyone to send: new socks, new underwear, or gift cards from either Walmart of Costco to the SQM office. We will deliver the items to Ve’ahavta, who will distribute them to those in need this holiday season and throughout the cold winter months.

We know that this is a busy time of the year and that everyone has their own charities and causes they like to support, but if you have the time or resources, please consider supporting SQM’s Holiday Sock and Underwear Drive.

Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone at SQM, including all of our office staff and field force, for all of your hard work and diligence. I would also like to thank all of our clients for their continued support and business.

A number of years ago, I was introduced to an organization in Toronto called Ve’ahavta, a Jewish humanitarian response to poverty. While it is a Jewish charity, they are well-known for helping and supporting everyone in the community. They have a number of different services and programs, but they are best known for an initiative called the Mobile Jewish Response to Homeless (MJRH). The program involves a social worker driving around the city, in a van, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and providing food, beverages, clothes, sleeping bags, and health and beauty supplies to those in need. In addition to the social worker, they rely on members of the community to volunteer to go on the van (four volunteers every night) to assist. The van is so well known and well used, that it actually takes five people to keep up with the demand.

When I first learned of the initiative, about three years ago, I wrote a blog sharing the story of how the SQM employees and field force volunteered to help out and how we took an entire week’s worth of shifts on the van. Before I went on the van, I had been told that it was certainly an eye-opening experience, and that after a night on the van you look at the city differently…and they were absolutely right.

In more recent times, we decided that as my daughter is about to turn 13, we wanted to instill in her the importance of giving and helping others.

The evening started out with my wife, my daughter, one of her friends, and myself making sandwiches (and bags of dog food and treats as often the four legged friends are forgotten!). The van actually serves hot meals 5 nights a week, but our night was a sandwich night. We then spend time loading up clothes, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene and toiletry products into the van before we set out on our route. Many of the clients, as they are respectfully called by the organization, know what time to expect the van in their area, and when we arrived at our first stop, there were already three people waiting for us.

During the evening, one thing that became clear was how many of the clients take care of one another. If someone couldn’t make it to the van for a sandwich, they’d ask for a second sandwich or a bottle of water to take to them. If we stuck around for awhile, they’d go and get their friends, so that no one missed the opportunity. In all cases the people were very polite and appreciative, and many enjoyed the conversation and interaction. My daughter, normally somewhat shy and reserved around new people, really stepped up and chatted with complete strangers. She came away realizing that these individuals are not stupid or lazy – but have many different reasons for needing extra help. Her compassion made me very proud of her and I was truly surprised by her enthusiasm for her tasks. She was kind and thoughtful and you could see the response to her in the people that she interacted with. It is worth noting, that the organization also focuses on education and that the (almost) teenagers were given a tablet full of information to read while we were driving and were routinely quizzed by the social worker and engaged in pretty deep conversations.

After three or four hours outside during a relatively mild winter night (including time going in and out of the van), I was already very cold. It is a real lesson in the power of the spirit as to how these folks manage living outside, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in areas where what little they have, is often taken or stolen. Sleeping under highways and on ramps and off ramps with constant noise, all the while battling the elements, be it rain, snow or heat, is certainly a challenge not to be taken lightly.

If you don’t think homelessness and hunger affects everybody, then reconsider: one of the men we met is actually a part-time teacher at a community college, while another woman was a retired chartered accountant that still teaches others. Later on in the evening, I met a person who used to be a carpenter, and it was clear from some of the other conversations I had, that many of these people were well-educated and/or had good jobs in the past. Throughout the evening, I met people who were incredibly innovative, including one group that actually built a shed and managed to get a hold of a generator, to power a heater. Apparently they also have a big screen TV, a Blu-ray player, and a sofa, and when it’s bitterly cold out, they all hunker down together, like a family.

Whether it’s the teamwork, caring for one another like a family, or keeping a positive attitude despite the conditions they’re facing, some of these people have incredible attitudes and are truly fascinating to speak to. While myself and many of my colleagues are frequently inspired by business people, professional athletes and perhaps the occasional celebrity, I now have to add many of the people who I met that night to my ever-growing list.

I realize that there are many reasons for homelessness in Toronto, and while I personally feel more has to be done to combat the problem, it seems that there’s a lot of agencies and politicians that are truly trying to address the issue but in the meantime, many of these people could still use our help.

To that end, I’m once again going to urge everybody who reads this post to consider supporting Ve’ahavta. The organization is always in need of new underwear and socks (two items often forgotten about), sleeping bags, and warm clothes and jackets. Here at SQM, we’re going to restart our sock and underwear drive, so if you’d like to donate either of these items, please feel free to send them to our office. If you’d prefer to send a gift card (Walmart or Costco to get the best bang for your buck), we will be happy to purchase the items on your behalf, and deliver them to Ve’ahavta. Please send all items to:

SQM
156 Duncan Mill Road, Unit 19
Toronto, ON M3B 3N2

As Ve’ahavta says: Together we can create pathways out of poverty through education…and a little help!

With the upcoming holidays, this will be my last blog of the year, before returning in early January.

After another busy and hectic year at SQM, I want to thank all of our office staff and field force for a job well done. In addition, I also would like to also thank the many suppliers to SQM, for their role in our company’s success. Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to all of our clients for their business and support.

Although personally and through SQM I support a number of charitable causes on an ongoing basis, it seems as if more people tend to think about those in need around the holiday season. On that note, I’d like to mention one particular cause that could always use more support and donations.

Toronto based, Ve’ahavta, offers a number of programs, but one in particular involves providing the homeless with meals, clothing, and other necessities. While many people frequently donate warm winter clothes, to help people in need, I’ve recently learned that there are certain items that are often overlooked, such as new pairs of socks and new (unopened) underwear.

People need clean socks and underwear on a daily basis, so should you ever find yourself wanting to help the less fortunate, wherever you are around the world, please keep these items in mind. It only takes a few minutes and a few dollars to make a real, tangible difference.

Alternatively, as in past years, if you would like to send any new items or gift cards to the SQM office, we would be happy to collect / purchase the items and deliver them to the organization.

On behalf of myself, my family, and the SQM team, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and enjoyable holiday season and my best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018!

December is always a cheery time of year! With the holidays just around the corner, more and more holiday-themed activities seem to be popping up around town. Many stores are taking part in holiday festivities, and with no shortage of holiday cheer going around, it’s always nice to engage in one or more activities. Some of the more popular activities, which I enjoy, include:

Toronto Christmas Market – Down in the Distillery District, the iconic Christmas market is on until December 23rd! Enjoy Christmas music, magical lighting, singing, dancing, visits with Santa, and everything to get you into the holiday spirit. Though the experience is purely magical, it’s $6.00 to get in on weekends and lineups can be lengthy.

Starbucks Holiday Cups – I always enjoy the little things that add bits of holiday spirit. Starbucks offers some cool and interesting holiday drinks with a fun design on them. It’s a great pick-me-up, and a great way to warm yourself up. This year’s design encourages customers to colour and draw on the white background of the cups.

Skating at the Harbourfront Centre – Want to do something active, fun, and festive? Skating is the perfect way to engage in holiday cheer while burning some calories at the same time. Visit your local skating rink and rent a pair of skates – or bring your own. The Harbourfront Centre has a beautiful, scenic outdoor skating rink and best of all – admission is free!

Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square – At the heart of downtown Toronto, celebrate winter by shopping in the market, skating, or simply enjoying the view at their annual holiday fair. Until December 23rd, experience different foods, find that perfect gift, and listen to some live Christmas music!

The Nutcracker – Experience the magic firsthand when you see The Nutcracker live in theatre! As an all-time classic, and world-renowned play, the National Ballet of Canada has been performing every year since 2005. It’s an amazing and entertaining family activity, and suitable for all ages. Catch it now until December 30th.

Get Involved with A Charity – Whether it’s helping out at your local food bank, preparing meals for the homeless, running a toy drive, or collecting clothes and personal care products for those in need, getting involved with charities is something that should not be overlooked during this busy and hectic time of year.

Whatever you choose to do, and wherever you choose to go…from all of us at SQM, have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year!